Welcome to the Carlton Owners Club website
The original club formed by Mervyn back in the 1990's has closed, and is no longer active. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, or should that be a bad penny, etc.... I guess you'd say this is now the new "Official" Carlton Owners Club.
I'd also appreciate any information, pictures, etc. And if you own one of these cars, then please get in contact and I'll add your details to the club register! Feel free to DONATE something (it doesn't matter how much) if you find the information useful!
About The Original Manufacturer
Carlton Automotive Ltd were a small company producing three types of kit car, the Carlton Carrera Coupe, the Commando 4x4 Pickup, and the Acer (I didn't know about that one!).
They were (and still are) based in Royston, Barnsley. At the time it was making the kit cars it was run by Stuart Allatt and Dave Peasant. They'd apparently sold 450 examples of the Carrera and Commando.
They no longer produce or sell these cars, concentrating more on simple aftermarket spoilers, bodykits, etc
The Carrera, Commando, and Acer. Anybody know if they did any more ? or the dates of production ?
Carrera - Launced at the 1985 Component Car Show. Based on either Jaguar (4 seater), Cortina (2 seater), or (as is the case with mine Cortina front and Capri rear for 2+2 seating). They also did a version based on Cortina/Sierra. Original standard kit cost 1999+VAT for the Cortina version, 2299+VAT for the Jaguar version. Finally a cabriolet version was availble for an extra 600+VAT.
Commando - Based on Ford Cortina Mk3/4/5. No other donor cars were required. Styling was for a 4x4 pickup look to create a functional car with good ground clearance and twin opening rear hatch panels. The only modification required to the donor car parts was to lengthen the steering column. Original standard kit cost 1650+VAT, and deluxe kit cost 2099+VAT.
Acer - a two seater sports which is a copy of a 1960's Turner. Based on Viva running gear.
My Carlton Carrera
I bought this fantastic looking kit-car a great number of years ago.
That's my Carlton Carrera up there at the very top of this page. Nice eh?!
It was on the road briefly for a couple of years before I took it off the road for some minor updates. This is where it's stayed ever since.
I've transported it over to the Isle of Man where I currently live. See my work-in-progress page for current state of play with it! Unfortunately I didn't find out until after I bought it as my first ever kitcar
that a review said it was definitely not for the first time builder! Great I thought. The manual consisted of statements like “Fabricate Brackets to suit” and that was about the extent of the help.
So, basically, it's a make it up as you go along job!
Build manuals
Seems like there's a few owners out there now without build manuals! So I've scanned in mine (see Useful Stuff). If anyone has some other versions then please contact me and I'll scan them in.